Latrobe Lifeskills has forged impactful partnerships with organisations like La Trobe University, Dogs for Life, Victoria Police, Helping Hands Op Shop, Bundoora Park Farm, Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, and Ivanhoe Grammar School, enriching the group activities available to participants as part of their NDIS group support.
These collaborations provide a diverse array of engaging experiences that promote social interaction, skill development, and personal growth. Participants actively contribute to their communities through volunteer work at Nangak Tamborree Wildlife Sanctuary, Bundoora Park Farm, and Helping Hands Op Shop, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection. Additionally, they help train assistance dogs with Dogs for Life, gaining valuable skills while supporting a vital service. As integral members of the La Trobe community, they also enjoy many events on campus, enhancing their social engagement.
Lifeskills further enriches the experience by hosting placement students from La Trobe University across various disciplines including Health Sciences, Allied Health, Outdoor Education, Art Therapy and Business.
Below you can read more about each of our valued partnerships and how they are designed to help participants get the most out of their time at Latrobe Lifeskills.
Discover Latrobe Lifeskills' Partners and Collaborators
Latrobe Lifeskills’ Longstanding Partnership with La Trobe University
The relationship between Latrobe Lifeskills and La Trobe University is a significant and collaborative partnership aimed at supporting participants while offering them access to educational and social opportunities.
Access to resources: Latrobe Lifeskills works closely with La Trobe University to provide participants access to the university’s facilities and resources. This includes the use of university classrooms, computer labs, sports centers, and media hubs. The collaboration gives participants the chance to be part of a university environment, enriching their experience and increasing their sense of inclusion and independence.
Student Placement: La Trobe University students have the opportunity to complete their placements at Latrobe Lifeskills. In partnership with the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program, Lifeskills hosts students each year to help them gain real-world experience in the disability sector. Past placements have included students from courses such as Art Therapy, Social Science, Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy and Business.
Inclusion: This partnership emphasises the importance of promoting disability inclusion within the broader community and academic settings. It allows La Trobe University students and staff to engage with and learn from individuals with disabilities, creating a more inclusive environment at the university. Latrobe Lifeskills participants are proud to say they go to university just like other people their age.
Latrobe Lifeskills x Whittlesea Police Academy
Latrobe Lifeskills has partnered with Victoria Police to create the Latrobe Lifeskills & Whittlesea Police Academy, a program designed to provide Lifeskills participants a comprehensive insight into police work. Participants engage in various activities, including learning about general duties policing, forensics, and specialised units such as the Air Wing and Dog Squad. This hands-on experience aims to break down barriers and alleviate fears surrounding police interactions. ​
Inspector Chris Allen highlighted the program’s impact, stating that it has been enriching and rewarding for participating officers, enhancing their understanding of how to better serve and support community members with disabilities. ​
Latrobe Lifeskills was part of the pilot program in 2022 and continues to reconnect with Victoria Police on a bi-monthly basis both at Lifeskills and at various police departments. The initiative has expanded statewide due to its success.
Check out the Network Ten news feature on the academy here: Latrobe Lifeskills x Victoria Police Academy
Ivanhoe Grammar Year 9 Community Program
Latrobe Lifeskills has a partnership with Ivanhoe Grammar School that provides meaningful community engagement opportunities for students, particularly in the context of disability awareness and inclusion.
Here are some key aspects of the partnership:
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Community Engagement: One of the central features of the collaboration is the opportunity for Year 9 students at Ivanhoe Grammar School to engage with individuals supported by Latrobe Lifeskills. Through this engagement, students learn about the challenges and strengths of people with intellectual disabilities. This kind of interaction helps to foster a greater understanding of disability issues, promoting empathy, respect, and inclusion.
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Practical Learning Experiences: The students participate in hands-on activities designed to teach them about disability support. These might include working alongside Latrobe Lifeskills participants in various settings and learning directly from their experiences. This practical exposure helps the students develop life skills, social awareness, and a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusivity in society.
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Building Future Career Paths: The partnership also serves to highlight career opportunities within the disability support and community services sectors. By engaging with Latrobe Lifeskills, Ivanhoe Grammar students gain insight into potential career paths that involve working with people with disabilities, social work, and other related fields. This aligns with broader educational goals of providing students with real-world exposure to various professions.
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Promoting Social Responsibility: The collaboration also plays a role in encouraging students to become socially responsible and aware of the diverse needs within their communities. The partnership is an educational tool for fostering leadership and advocacy in the area of disability rights and inclusion.
Through this partnership, both organizations contribute to a more inclusive and understanding community, preparing young people for lives of empathy, leadership, and active social participation.
Volunteer Work
Volunteer work provides a plethora of benefits to participants while giving them the opportunity to contribute to their local communities. Volunteer work can often be a launching pad for future paid work, by giving participants experience in a workplace and encouraging development of communications skills, time management and team work.
When engaging in volunteer work through Latrobe Lifeskills, participants are supported in small groups by experienced Participant Support Workers to carry out tasks as required by the host organisation/s.
1. Dogs for LifeÂ
One of the standout volunteer opportunities is Latrobe Lifeskills’ collaboration with Dogs 4 Life in Bendigo. Participants assist in the socialisation and training of assistance and therapy dogs. This program allows them to develop important life skills such as responsibility, patience, and teamwork. The dogs trained through this program often go on to provide support to individuals with disabilities, and participants feel a strong sense of accomplishment knowing their work makes a tangible difference in others’ lives.
2. Helping Hands
Latrobe Lifeskills participants also volunteer with Helping Hands, an organization dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals. The participants help with various tasks, such as organizing and packaging goods for distribution, assisting with administrative tasks, or supporting events. This type of volunteer work promotes a sense of social responsibility and helps participants build skills that could translate into future employment or independent living opportunities.
3. Bundoora Park Farm
Another great volunteer opportunity is at Bundoora Park Farm, where Latrobe Lifeskills participants assist with animal care and farm activities. They might help with feeding animals, maintaining the farm environment, or supporting visitors. These activities provide participants with the chance to learn about animal care, develop practical skills, and contribute to the upkeep of a popular community space. They also build their confidence by interacting with both the animals and visitors, making it an enriching experience for everyone involved.
4. Wildlife Sanctuary
Latrobe Lifeskills participants are also involved with local Wildlife Sanctuaries, where they assist with tasks such as animal feeding, habitat maintenance, and helping with conservation efforts. This volunteer work allows participants to learn more about Australian wildlife and conservation while playing an active role in preserving local species and ecosystems. It’s an opportunity to develop a sense of environmental stewardship and contribute positively to the community.
Through these volunteer opportunities, Latrobe Lifeskills participants gain hands-on experience in a variety of fields while making meaningful contributions to their communities. Whether working with animals, assisting with charity efforts, or contributing to environmental preservation, these activities help develop valuable skills and foster greater inclusion.
Guest Speakers
Guest speakers are a highlight for many participants throughout the year and come from a range of services and organisations to help educate participants on a variety of topics.
Latrobe Lifeskills participants benefit from a host of guest speakers from organisations such as:
Life Saving Victoria
Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)
The Office of the Public Advocate
Pickle Ball Coaches
Fire Safety Victoria
Diabetes Victoria
METRO Trains
Road Smart Interactive
